A Slice of Paradise: Our Unforgettable Stay at Kokomo Private Island
Wow, what an experience! From the moment you enter these guys’ presence, you are immersed in six-star service. We exited the catamaran from Malolo Island and, rather than joining the hundreds of people boarding buses to the airport, we had a van just for the three of us, complete with a gentleman dressed in the Kokomo uniform.
From there, we were transported to the private hangar and lounge, which sits on the other side of the runway from the international airport. In the hangar, you sit in air-conditioning while helping yourself to handmade chocolate honeycomb biscuits, coffee, soft drinks, and I think there was even wine and champagne. This is the “check-in” for the private island and where you board the private plane or helicopter. The Kokomo team member takes care of the basics so you aren’t wasting time on the island things like Wi-Fi and what you would like in your room. I’m still confused by this question; I just kept asking, “What can we have?”
Then it was time to leave. You are greeted by the pilots and offered cold water as you board the plane. So far, that was three touchpoints with the Kokomo team, and all of them couldn’t do enough for us. This was the theme of the whole stay. Kokomo is 45 minutes from the hangar via private seaplane. You’re given noise-cancelling headphones just to make your journey more comfortable.
The landing into Kokomo begins with an aerial tour of the island, followed by a sea landing on the sunset side. This is the more premium beach of the two sides. After picking your jaw up from the magic you have just experienced, you pull up to the dock, where you are greeted by the Operations and Events Manager. They take you up the dock, where an even bigger greeting from the whole team awaits to welcome you in song. This is one hell of a start to a stay.
We chose to eat lunch first, where we were exposed to some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. For my first meal, I was after something simple, like a sandwich. It was honestly the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten. This was followed by the best seven curries that night at Walker D’Plank, then the best pizza, the best breakfast wrap, the best dry aged ribeye steak, and finally the best freshly caught and cooked fish.
The food at Kokomo was elite, and every time you went out to dinner, it honestly felt like you had private chefs to yourself, no matter where you ate. There are three restaurants: Walker D’Plank (where you dine overlooking baby blacktip reef sharks), Beach Shack, and Kokocabana. The service at all venues was top-notch, with nothing ever being too difficult. You can order from multiple restaurants, giving you the ability to sit at your favourite viewpoint or with your favourite staff member while still sampling all the island has to offer.
After lunch, we went to check out our room. We were in a three-bedroom villa on Sunset, and as we walked in, our jaws swiftly hit the ground again. This place was everything you imagine when you think of a beachfront luxury resort, with three bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, outdoor shower, and outdoor hose to avoid bringing sand into the house.
The main outdoor shower was linked to a bathtub overlooking the beach. Often, we would go for a swim in the sea, rinse off in the outdoor shower, and then enjoy a hot bath. It’s extra, but Ivy and I lapped it up! We also had a 9-metre lap/infinity pool overlooking the beach and an outdoor deck big enough to seat 50 people. The beds felt like super kings and were incredibly comfortable. The amenities were all Pure Fiji, sticking to the theme and supporting local communities, which made the place even more special.
This room was insane and had more under-roof space than most houses I’ve ever stepped foot in. With a minimum five-night stay, you could honestly spend all five nights eating in your villa and never feel claustrophobic. Within 30 seconds, you could literally be in the ocean, looking at the incredibly tame sea turtles inside the reef.
We then toured the island, checking out the new golf simulator, yoga retreat, veggie farm, pickleball court, tennis court, and basketball court, all of which are attached to the Teens’ Club area. We also checked out the spa, gym, and, most importantly, the Kids’ Club.
Instantly, you felt oriented and comfortable, which I believe makes it easy to get into relaxation mode very quickly. The whole check-in process is incredibly well designed, so there’s no stress, and you’re introduced to a level of service that most places would only dream of offering.
Over the next two days, we enjoyed three hours at the spa, a facial, and sailing the catamarans out the front with guides always ready to help. We snorkelled on the reef, seeing an abundance of fish and sea turtles, experienced deep-sea fishing on the 51-foot Bertram, and were genuinely treated to an environment where we could simply make memories as a family in a place that will not easily be forgotten.
Kokomo does service really well. There is clearly strong communication between team members so that guests are attended to at all times. When you finish a meal, there always seems to be a buggy ready for you. The buggies also stop and never pass you when you’re walking on the paths. Coffee and drink orders are remembered after the first sitting. Your name is also remembered after the first interaction.
If you ask how the resort works, they will happily explain it with complete transparency. For example, we wanted to know how the island operated, so they took us past the staff quarters and showed us from the buggy.
Laundry service is also included. You simply fill up your basket, and your clothes will be washed, folded, or pressed twice a day. When you come home, you’re literally only washing the clothes off your back.
Value for money? I think Kokomo has this in spades. All meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Any activity without a motor is included too, even having guides take you out and teach you how to sail a catamaran. The gym was equipped with everything you would need, as well as daily spin and instructor-led classes.
The daily activities are led by the crew, but they are delivered in a way that isn’t in your face; simply read the noticeboard and join in if you want to. There’s also a daily word to learn in the Fijian language. There are complimentary massage stations, trivia nights, pickleball tournaments, and much more. These are all little touches that continue to enhance your stay.
Every part of Kokomo seemed to have been carefully thought through. Even the walk to your room is a peaceful stroll through a botanical garden.
Unlike other hotels, when you check out, you settle the bill from the lounge. You’re then treated to a couple more farewell songs and taken to your seaplane. We caught fish the day before, so the chef prepared it with sides so it was still hot and ready to eat on the flight home. Just another magical touch.
Your bags are then loaded into the van for your trip home, and you’re taken wherever you need to go next, ensuring you’re looked after from start to finish.
Kokomo is the nicest resort I have stayed in to date, and I’d find it very hard to imagine a better one. On top of this, it’s only a short flight compared to some of the world’s other top luxury resorts. Being situated in Fiji, it’s only around a four-hour flight from Australia’s eastern capital cities, making it very accessible.
I’d recommend this to any clients with a special occasion coming up, as it would not disappoint and would make that occasion truly memorable.
